Boulders Beach Cape Town: Swimming With Penguin & Close Encounter Half Day Tour
Description
Embark on a unique experience and spend a few hours at one of the best beaches in Cape Town known as Boulder's Beach while swimming with the African Penguins. Take a walk on the boardwalk at Boulder's Penguins Colony and view one of the largest penguin colonies in South Africa. Get too close to the African penguins at the Main Penguin Colony and see them in the thousands before you spend 3 more hours laying down and white sandy beach with African penguins. Enjoy a drive along one of the most scenic routes in the world known as Chapman's Peak Drive. Marvel at the colourful houses in the Bo Kaap as you snap your Instagram moments with these historical houses as your backdrop. This is truly one of the most relaxing tours you can experience when travelling to Cape Town.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Soon after collection from your accommodation in Cape Town, we will drive along through the city centre to see some historical monuments and buildings.
We stop in the Bo-Kaap, also known as the Cape Malay Quarter, due to its Malaysian and Indonesian heritage. This is where we stop to see the colourful historical houses and capture beautiful photos with these colourful houses as our backdrop. If they are around, you may get to meet some of the friendly residents and learn about the history of their houses.
A stop here in Camps Bay will be at the famous Maidens Cove. Here is a popular tourist stop over for the most beautiful photos in Cape Town, with the Lion's Head and Table Mountain plus the 12 Apostles on the backdrop facing the mighty Atlantic Ocean.
Our next stop will be at Chapman's Peak viewpoint. We will drive along one of the most scenic routes in the world known as Chapman's Peak Drive - Chappie's to the locals. The stop at the viewpoint will be for approximately 15 minutes so that visitors can capture some of the most breathtaking photos of the pristine Atlantic ocean stretching as far as the eye can see.
Simon's Town will be next on our list of stops. This is where the South African Naval base is situated. This is also where we will meet the monument of the enchanting dog called Just Nuisance. Just Nuisance became a member of the South African Navy and even had a wedding. We will allow you time to have an optional lunch here in Simon's Town.
We reach the highlight of the day with a stop at Boulder's Beach. Upon our arrival at the Boulder's we will enter through the gates and walk along the boardwalk to view the African Penguins colony. This is one of the largest penguins colonies in South Africa and you may even have an opportunity to be greeted by one or two of them along the boardwalk. We will allow you to enter the main colony at own account which is ZAR 175 per adult. Thereafter we will enter onto the Boulder's Beach for and spend the rest of the tour on what is known as one of the best beaches in Cape Town. Visitors may have chance encounters while swimming, to swim with the Penguins if they are in the water at the beach. Take plenty of photos with these stunning sea creatures and come face-to-face with them in their natural habitat. Note that clean fresh beach towels will be included as well as sunscreen and beach umbrellas. Note that items of personal nature like sun hats and beach slippers are not included.
Our tour culminates with a stop at St. James Beach near Muizenberg to view the colourful huts on the beach. These colourful huts are used for changing rooms for the sunbathers and surfers, but they also provide amazing backdrop for spectacular photos to last a lifetime.
We return back to Cape Town for drop off at guest's accommodation.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Items of personal nature, i.e.: Sun hats, peak caps, refreshments, beach slippers, etc.
Reviews(32)
Our tour leader was. Gift made the day most enjoyable, even though we started little late. He provided very good information. He even organized the group lunch and kept all of us together. He has promptly responded to our queries. All the best to Gift.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you so much for your kind review and for choosing Beyond Africa Safaris for your Cape Town tour experience. We are delighted to hear that Gift helped make your day so enjoyable, even with the slight delay at the start. It is great to know that his knowledge, clear communication, and attentive support throughout the tour contributed positively to your experience. We are especially pleased that he was able to organise the group lunch smoothly and ensure everyone stayed together during the day. His prompt responses to your questions and his dedication to guest satisfaction truly reflect the standard of service we aim to provide. At Beyond Africa Safaris, we pride ourselves on offering professionally guided Cape Town sightseeing tours that are well-organised, informative, and focused on creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for all guests. Thank you once again for your feedback and warm wishes. We will be sure to share your kind words with Gift — he will be very happy to know he contributed to such a memorable day. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable Cape Town sightseeing tour or South African safari adventure in the future. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
Boulders Beach is an absolute dream come true. Getting to see the African penguin colony up close in their natural habitat is something I will never forget. The boardwalks are incredibly well-laid-out, allowing you to watch them waddling on the sand, nesting, and diving into the crystal-clear turquoise water without disturbing them. The scenery itself is gorgeous—massive granite boulders framing beautiful, sheltered white-sand bays. It does get busy, but the sheer joy of watching these amazing creatures makes it worth every single second. The staff are dedicated to conservation, and the whole area is clean and safe. A magical experience for travelers of all ages!
Dear Valued Client, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing Beyond Africa Safaris for your Cape Town tour experience. We are delighted to hear that you had such a magical experience at Boulders Beach and that seeing the African penguin colony in their natural habitat left such a lasting impression on you. It is truly one of Cape Town’s most unique and cherished attractions, and we are pleased you were able to enjoy it so fully. We are also glad that you appreciated the well-designed boardwalks, the beautiful surrounding scenery, and the opportunity to observe the penguins up close while still respecting their natural environment. Conservation and responsible tourism are very important in this area, and it is wonderful to hear that this added value to your visit. At Beyond Africa Safaris, we pride ourselves on offering professionally guided Cape Town sightseeing tours that showcase the natural beauty, wildlife, and iconic landmarks of the Cape Peninsula in a safe, informative, and memorable way. Thank you once again for your thoughtful feedback and recommendation. We truly appreciate your support and are delighted that you had such a memorable experience. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable Cape Town sightseeing tour or South African safari adventure in the future. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
We had a private full day tour of the Cape, including Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope. It was an unforgettable day and Mena was a wonderful guide! His knowledge of the history of this area and his life experiences made this especially great.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you so much for your kind review and for choosing Beyond Africa Safaris for your private full-day Cape Town tour experience. We are delighted to hear that you had an unforgettable day exploring the Cape, including Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope. These iconic destinations truly showcase the natural beauty and rich heritage of the region, and we are so pleased you were able to experience them in such a meaningful way. It is especially wonderful to hear that Mena made your journey so memorable. His knowledge of the history of the area, along with his personal insights and life experiences, clearly added depth and authenticity to your tour — something we truly value in our guiding team. At Beyond Africa Safaris, we pride ourselves on offering professionally guided private Cape Town tours that combine comfort, storytelling, and local expertise to create truly unforgettable experiences. Thank you once again for your thoughtful feedback and recommendation. We will be sure to share your kind words with Mena — he will be very happy to hear that he made such a positive impact on your day. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable Cape Town sightseeing tour or South African safari adventure in the future. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
We did Half Day Boulders Beach/Penguins and Cape Point with Clement. It was fab! Clement was brilliant with my neurodivergent/ADHD 11 year old son and he even arranged mountain zebras!!!
Dear Valued Client, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing Beyond Africa Safaris for your Cape Town Half-Day Boulders Beach Penguins and Cape Point tour experience. We are absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a fabulous time with Clement. It is especially heartwarming to know that he was brilliant and attentive with your neurodivergent/ADHD 11-year-old son, ensuring that the experience was comfortable, engaging, and enjoyable for your family. At Beyond Africa Safaris, we are deeply committed to providing inclusive, family-friendly Cape Town tours that cater to the needs of all our guests. We are also thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the iconic Boulders Beach penguins and the breathtaking Cape Point scenery, and that Clement was able to add those special wildlife moments — including the mountain zebras — to make your experience even more memorable. Thank you once again for your kind feedback and recommendation. We will be sure to share your lovely compliments with Clement — he will be delighted to know he helped create such a positive and memorable experience for your family. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable Cape Town sightseeing tour or South African safari adventure in the future. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
Lina and driver Kyle were both fantastic and made the whole trip fun and seamless. Highly recommend
Dear Valued Client, Thank you for your kind review and for choosing Beyond Africa Safaris. We are delighted to hear that Lina and driver Kyle made your experience fun, seamless, and enjoyable from start to finish. Providing professional tour guides and safe, reliable transport is central to our commitment to delivering high-quality Cape Town tours, guided sightseeing experiences, and private travel services. It’s wonderful to know that the teamwork between Lina and Kyle helped create a smooth and memorable journey for you. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are grateful for your support. We look forward to welcoming you again for another exceptional Cape Town tour or African safari adventure with Beyond Africa Safaris. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
It was a lovely experience thanks to our Tour guide Mierille
Dear Valued Client, Thank you for your kind feedback and for choosing Beyond Africa Safaris. We are delighted to hear that you had a lovely experience on your Cape Town tour. We are especially pleased that our professional tour guide Mierille contributed to making your journey enjoyable. Her dedication, warmth, and knowledge help us deliver high-quality guided tours and memorable South Africa travel experiences. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you again for more unforgettable Cape Town sightseeing tours, cultural excursions, and African safari adventures. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
It was a lovely day, well send with Gordon. I really can recommend this trip if you want to see all of the highlights in one day. Gordon explains a lot and drived us safely trough all the highlights!
Dear Valued Client Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had a lovely day with Gordon and that you enjoyed seeing all the highlights of the tour. It is wonderful to know that Gordon’s explanations added value to your experience and that you felt safe throughout the journey. Providing both informative and secure travel experiences is something we take great pride in, and your comments are truly appreciated. We are grateful for your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another memorable trip in the future. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
Talent was a very nice and engaging guide, tour organized very well and beautiful views. Highly recommended
Dear Valued Client, Thank you very much for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you found Talent to be such a friendly and engaging guide, and that you enjoyed the well-organized tour and beautiful scenery. Your recommendation is truly appreciated and means a lot to us. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
Excellent guide! We covered so much
We were picked up from our hotel with a comfortable Mercedes van. Nathan was our guide, and he did a great job. He was professional, knowledgeable, funny and very enjoyable. He organised our tickets to the various venues, and everything went smoothly. And not to forget, the lunch we had at the Cape Point Restaurant was superb. Thanks again Nathan! Well done!
Dear Valued Client, Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Nathan made your tour enjoyable with his professionalism, knowledge, and sense of humor. It’s great that the logistics went smoothly and that you were able to enjoy a superb lunch at the Cape Point Restaurant. We truly appreciate your kind words and will be sure to share them with Nathan. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
